Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2021 - Page 183


Page 183 of 510

Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 remain stable, or even increase, seven months after infection

A study found that SARS-CoV-2 antibodies remained stable or increased in healthcare workers seven months after infection, indicating potential protection from pre-existing antibodies against common cold coronaviruses. The results suggest that individuals with higher levels of anti-HCoV IgG and IgA had lower susceptibility to COVID-19.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 6, 2021

World’s first transparent fiber–millimeter-wave–fiber system in 100-GHz band using low-loss optical modulator and direct photonic down-conversion

Researchers developed the first transparent fiber–millimeter-wave–fiber system in the 100-GHz band using a low-loss broadband optical modulator with direct photonic down-conversion. The system successfully demonstrated high-speed transmission of over 70 Gbit/s over a wired and wireless converged system.

Major Atlantic ocean current system might be approaching critical threshold

A new study suggests that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is losing stability and may be approaching a critical threshold. The AMOC plays a crucial role in regulating Europe's temperatures and weather patterns, and its collapse could have severe global implications.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 5, 2021

C-Crete Technologies’ deep learning methods cast wide net for discovery of novel hybrid organic-inorganic materials

Researchers at C-Crete Technologies have developed a method that utilizes deep learning to quickly predict and design novel hybrid organic-inorganic materials, offering improved materials design for various industries. By feeding quantum mechanics calculations to layered machine learning based on artificial neural networks, they can un...

SourceC-Crete Technologies·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 5, 2021

New PIDS-IDSA guideline on bone infections in children addresses key diagnostic and treatment questions

The new guideline recommends invasive diagnostic tests but acknowledges their potential infeasibility, instead focusing on clinical improvement to transition to oral therapy. It provides thoughtfully reasoned recommendations based on current evidence to help clinicians identify and manage bone infections.

SourcePediatric Infectious Diseases Society·JournalJournal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 5, 2021

Long-term monitoring shows protected areas safeguard bird populations and support federal and state mandates

A new study by Point Blue Conservation Science found that protected areas in central coastal California effectively safeguard bird populations from decline. The research analyzed population trends of 14 bird species and found that 9 had better population trends within protected areas compared to average trends outside.

SourceAmerican Ornithological Society Publications Office·JournalOrnithological Applications·DateAug 5, 2021

Fitness apps keep us moving

Flinders University researchers found that more than half of Australians reported a decline in physical activity during the COVID-19 lockdown, but fitness apps were used by over half of respondents. The study highlights the importance of social support, self-efficacy, and motivation in using physical activity apps to maintain engagement.

SourceFlinders University·JournalPsychology of Sport and Exercise·TypeObservational study·DateAug 5, 2021

Now how did that get up there?

Researchers discovered three phases of growth that explain how cetaceans shift their nasal passage from a parallel to an angled orientation. This finding provides insight into the developmental process and could inform our understanding of cetacean evolution.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalJournal of Anatomy·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 5, 2021

Helping India’s smallholder farmers

A University of Delaware study found that diversifying nutritional strategies is key to improving diets for India's smallholder farmers. The researchers suggest individual-level and community-level approaches, such as growing diverse crops or sharing produce at local markets.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 5, 2021

Counting pandemic behavior to inform public health decisions

Researchers developed a new method to analyze video segments from live streams and estimate the prevalence of mask wearing. The protocol was successfully learned in under an hour and found reliable estimates of mask-compliance, with the potential to provide useful results for decision-makers within 48 hours.

SourceSociety for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.·JournalDisaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness·TypeContent analysis·DateAug 5, 2021

The science is in: Craft beer is unique

Research using mass spectrometry proteomics identified distinct proteins in craft beers compared to mass-produced brews. The study found that single-brewery analysis revealed significant differences between beer styles, suggesting the use of unique yeast strains or brewing processes.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateAug 5, 2021

No signs of brain injury post-acute COVID-19

A recent study from University of Gothenburg found that all participants achieved normalization of CNS injury biomarkers, regardless of previous disease severity or persistent neurological symptoms. This suggests that post-COVID-19 neurological sequelae are not due to active brain injury, contradicting previous findings.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 5, 2021

Scientists reverse a key hallmark of motor neurone disease in the laboratory

Researchers at The Francis Crick Institute successfully reversed a key hallmark of motor neurone disease by blocking the activity of an enzyme called VCP. This breakthrough, published in Brain Communications, suggests that the abnormal accumulation of proteins involved in RNA regulation might be a factor contributing to the disease.

SourceThe Francis Crick Institute·JournalBrain Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 5, 2021

Lab-grown beating heart cells identify potential drug to prevent COVID-19-related heart damage

A team of scientists at the University of Cambridge has developed a lab-grown model of heart cells that mimic the behavior of real heart cells and are vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The researchers showed that an experimental peptide drug, DX600, can prevent the virus from entering the heart cells and reduce levels of infection.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 5, 2021

Sticky toes unlock life in the trees

Researchers found that lizards with sticky toepads prevail in the arboreal environment, accessing new resources unavailable to padless lizards. This evolutionary advantage enables them to stay in trees and rarely leave, whereas padless species often transition to ground life.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalSystematic Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 5, 2021

NUS researchers link neurodegenerative disease protein to defective cholesterol metabolism

Researchers from NUS have discovered that brain cells rely on the TDP-43 protein to maintain the myelin sheath, which is crucial for neuron insulation. The study suggests that restoring cholesterol levels through drug intervention could be a novel therapeutic approach for diseases associated with TDP-43.

Far out: Why political parties go to extremes

A recent study modelled social, economic, and personal factors influencing voters and parties to identify four key levers that tip the balance towards political extremes. Social contagion and macro-economic factors such as employment and economic growth play a significant role in driving polarization.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalJournal of Economic Behavior & Organization·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 5, 2021

Heat-related symptoms affected one-quarter of Americans during summer of 2020

A new study found that one-quarter of Americans suffered from heat-related symptoms in 2020, with women, low-income households, and non-white populations most vulnerable. The research also revealed that the pandemic exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, making it harder for people to access cooling centers and medical care.

Herbal medicines demonstrate potency against bartonella, a disease-causing pathogen, according to new lab study

A new lab study finds that three herbal medicines - Chinese skullcap, Cryptolepis, and Japanese knotweed - have high activity against bartonella henselae and Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria causing Lyme disease. The findings suggest these herbs may be effective in treating tick-borne infections, including babesiosis.

SourceTellMed Strategies·JournalInfectious Microbes & Diseases·DateAug 5, 2021

When provided personalized health resources, patients often share with others

Researchers discovered that almost half of patients who received personalized information about community resources shared them with at least one other person. Individuals in poorer health were more likely to report sharing the information, and those who visited or used a resource on their list were also more likely to share it.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJournal of the Association for Information Science and Technology·DateAug 5, 2021

Neural network detects protein-peptide binding sites to kick-start peptide drug discovery

Researchers have developed a neural network model called BiteNetPp to detect protein-peptide binding sites, enabling the design of peptide-based drugs. The model consistently outperforms existing methods and can analyze a single protein structure in under a second, making it suitable for large-scale studies.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalJournal of Chemical Information and Modeling·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 5, 2021